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1st Place

Abstract

Synthetic polymers are used in many applications throughout various industries because they offer tailor-made solutions to suit specific requirements and enormous weight savings. However, synthetic polymers are produced from petroleum-based resources, which are non-renewable and directly contribute to anthropogenic climate change. Increased environmental regulations designed to tackle climate change have led to renewed interests in the development of bio-sourced polymers. Although biopolymers, as they are commonly called, advance sustainability, their widespread application is limited due to inferior mechanical properties. A plausible and cost-effective way to enhance the properties of pure biopolymers is to blend them with polymers with superior characteristics and/or reinforce them with high-strength and stiffened fibers. This study investigates the thermophysical properties of bio-based polymeric blends made from epoxidized pine oil (EPO) and acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). The blends were prepared using a solvent casting method in five different ratios, namely, 100%EPO, 90%EPO-10%AESO, 80%EPO-20%AESO, 70%EPO-30%AESO, and 100%AESO. The thermophysical properties of the blends were characterized using tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of the fractured specimens was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. These tests will help to establish the structure-property relationships of these unique blends.

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Synthetic polymers are used in many applications throughout various industries because they offer tailor-made solutions to suit specific requirements and enormous weight savings. However, synthetic polymers are produced from petroleum-based resources, which are non-renewable and directly contribute to anthropogenic climate change. Increased environmental regulations designed to tackle climate change have led to renewed interests in the development of bio-sourced polymers. Although biopolymers, as they are commonly called, advance sustainability, their widespread application is limited due to inferior mechanical properties. A plausible and cost-effective way to enhance the properties of pure biopolymers is to blend them with polymers with superior characteristics and/or reinforce them with high-strength and stiffened fibers. This study investigates the thermophysical properties of bio-based polymeric blends made from epoxidized pine oil (EPO) and acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). The blends were prepared using a solvent casting method in five different ratios, namely, 100%EPO, 90%EPO-10%AESO, 80%EPO-20%AESO, 70%EPO-30%AESO, and 100%AESO. The thermophysical properties of the blends were characterized using tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphology of the fractured specimens was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. These tests will help to establish the structure-property relationships of these unique blends.